Smaller ports’ evolution towards catalysing sustainable hinterland development

ABSTRACT

From simple organizations as gateways for goods and passengers, ports have evolved and transformed into complex organizational systems with multiple functions. Besides providing cargo, logistics, and other kinds of services to its customers, modern ports engage in the development of their hinterlands. Sustainability, evolving from environmental actions over the years, has become the core of many modern ports’ approach towards hinterland development and port competitiveness. While the literature is concerned with and presents examples of large ports implementing sustainability initiatives, the literature is scarce on smaller ports. This article addresses this gap by exploring qualitatively the case of the Port of Aalborg, a medium-sized port in Denmark, and its evolution towards using sustainability for port and hinterland development. The research focuses on the actions behind environmental development at the port. Its evolution is mapped and explored using the analytical framework developed based on the (larger) ports’ development and their roles. The findings from the Port of Aalborg case exemplify how smaller ports can evolve to drive the sustainable development of their hinterlands and contribute to a better understanding of this kind of port.     

The ports of the Russian Far East: a management strategy

The recent breakupof the former Soviet Union and the Russian Republic's movement towards a market economy wil require a considerable improvement and expansion of present port facilities in order to handle increasing cargo throughputs effectively. The Russian Far East is expected to increase trade dramatically through imports of foreign goods, exors of natural resources from Siberia and container traffic traversing teh Trans-Siberian landbridge. The ports of the region will be competing with each other to atract foreing investment and to increase central government assistance in order to facilitate development. This article examines;(1) the more important ports of the Far East and the problems they face as they compete to atract investment; (2) the establishment of a Regional Port Authority as a possible management alternative; (3)advantages of a Port Authority in developing the region' ports and fostering future growth. By analysing these data, a management and development strategy can be formulated for the optimum utilization of present resources and the benefi of reginal modernization and development.     

Analysis of the development potential of bulk shipping network on the Yangtze River

In the past decades, a multilayer transshipment network of bulk shipping has been formed along the Yangtze River so as to support the fast development of Chinese iron and steel industry. Yet with the decrease of iron ore trade in China since 2014, the bulk port system on Yangtze River probably will be subject to change in the future. Under this background, this paper aims to analyze the development potential of Yangtze River bulk ports system with a focus on iron ore transshipment. To realize this objective, we firstly sort out the main transshipment patterns of bulk shipping, and optimize the bulk-shipping network with an optimization model. Several scenarios are then proposed and examined in the model by changing corresponding parameters. Cooperation among ports as one scenario is analyzed by applying core theory in cooperative game. Based on the changes of transshipment plans observed under the various scenarios, we finally ascertain the different development potentials of the system, and provide suggestions to the port operators and local maritime authorities.     

Factoring a real value of cargo in port investment and funding decisions

Ports are marine gateways to economic activities. Ports’ ability to perform services depends on their facilities, harbor conditions, and other factors. Generally, ports have control over their facilities but must compete for funding to improve them. As for waterways, in the U.S., a Harbor Maintenance Trust Fund was established to fund dredging, which levies a 0.125% cargo value tax on most shippers using U.S. coastal and Great Lakes harbors. Yet, commonly, a gross tonnage metric is used to allocate the fund’s resources, resulting in under-maintenance of some harbors. This, reportedly, deters additional port funding and hinders valuable commerce. Supplemental economic metrics, such as value of commerce or cargo, can improve port financing decisions, but such data is not readily available. Container ports collect cargo value data in nominal terms, but bulk ports do not. When making economic decisions, however, real values must be used. Further, when allocating resources, decision-makers must be able to assess ports over time and relative to each other. Conforming to these criteria, this paper develops three port financing indicators based on a real value of cargo and illustrates their calculations using the U.S. Port of Duluth-Superior as a case study.     

上海港将成为东北亚转运中心

由于缺少集装箱深水港,每年我国沿海都有大量的集装箱从釜山港、高雄港等转运。上海洋山深水港区的建设将打破这个格局。随着洋山深水港区投入营运,将能保证第五代、第六代集装箱船全天候进出。凭借经济腹地优势和箱源优势,上海港将成为亚洲最重要的集装箱航线交汇港。随着上海港的发展,吸引韩国釜山、日本的货物从上海港中转将成为可能。因此,上海港可以像新加坡和香港一样发展成为东北亚轴辐式转运中心和航运交汇式转运中心。     

国内外生态港口建设现状分析及启示

文章分析了美国、日本、澳大利亚、英国等国家的先进港口建设现状,讨论了国外生态港口建设实践对我国生态港口建设的借鉴作用。结合当前我国港口环境保护的要求,分析了上海港、天津港、大连港、深圳港等在建设生态港口方面的工作进展,讨论了当前我国在生态港口建设方面存在的主要挑战。围绕资源节约型、环境友好型社会的建设,提出了我国建设生态港口的主要对策。     

Terminal investment timing decisions in a competitive setting with uncertainty using a real option approach

This paper uses a real option approach to analyze terminal investment timing decisions for situations in which a port faces competition from its rivals in an uncertain market. We propose a network model to describe carriers’ cargo routing decisions and competition among rival ports. We then transform this model into a multicommodity flow problem and use the column generation algorithm to solve it. After obtaining a port’s possible future annual revenues and the potential net present value (NPV) for its terminal construction project through the network model, we adopt the expanded NPV rule and transform the investment timing decision into an optimal stopping problem. A least squares Monte Carlo simulation algorithm is proposed to find the investing probabilities for future years. The proposed models are applied to a steel cargo terminal investment case in the Port of Bengbu in Anhui province of China. The impacts on the investing probability and the expanded NPV of changes in the demand volatility, the initial investment and the port discharging rate are analyzed to provide managerial insights for port managers.     

门式辐射检测装置对于集装箱码头安全的影响

“9·11”事件后,美国加强国内安全,同时为了防范可能利用港口设施对美国本土的恐怖袭击,在全世界范围内的大型港口积极推行“大港计划”等港口安全倡议,在相关港口安装辐射检测系统,阻止核和其他放射性材料的非法偷运到美国。本文根据门式辐射检测装置在斯里兰卡科伦坡南港的实施情况,介绍其系统组成,分析码头安全设施对于港口安全管理及运营的影响,对于我国大型集装箱码头提供参考及借鉴意义。     

大连港吞吐量与腹地经济发展关系研究

文章采用圈层结构法将大连港腹地划分为三个圈层范围,并通过构建哈夫引力模型分析各圈层经济指标与港口吞吐量之间的关系。结果表明：各圈层的经济指标对港口吞吐量的影响存在可量化的差异,从营口港对大连港吞吐量的实际影响出发,分析原因,并在两港腹地资源竞争分析基础上,提出区域化合作将是两港未来发展的理性选择。     

Risk assessment framework for exposure of cargo and ports to natural hazards and climate extremes

There is an increase in risks and catastrophic losses in maritime transport including ports and cargo. Significant losses have been associated with large scale natural hazards, such as earthquakes, tsunami, cyclones, and other extreme weather events. This paper identifies the main gaps in understanding maritime risks in transportation research. The gaps are attributed to insufficient empirical work available from the maritime transport and logistics research community to guide multi-risk and natural hazards impact assessment on seaport and cargo. In addition, disaster studies communities have barely made adequate efforts to understand and assess port and cargo risks arising from multi-hazards and disaster events. This paper examines existing conceptual frameworks concerning exposure and risk assessments of natural catastrophe’s impacts. Furthermore, the paper identifies trends and gaps in risk assessment frameworks in the field of disaster studies that can be beneficial for maritime risk research. The authors propose a new risk assessment framework that can guide future research and multi-hazard risk assessment processes at different scales of maritime risks.     

State-owned Spanish Port System oversizing: an analysis of maximum operational capacity

The State-owned Spanish Port System (SPS) includes 46 ports for general use that are managed by the 28 port authorities distributed along the 8000 km of Spanish coast. SPS has not grown at a rate comparable to that of international maritime transportation. In our paper, we start from the hypothesis of a port system that appears to be oversized, subsidized, with regard to container traffic. Quantifying the maximum operational capacity of the different container terminals along the Spanish coast and their mooring capacities will provide the available dimensions for this type of traffic. In a second step, we will analyse whether SPS are sufficient (according to the perspective of international standards) to meet Spain’s needs, which is related to Spain’s strategic geographic location and its need to move containerized cargo for the domestic market. The paper concludes SPS has an oversized that limits competitiveness, which is indicated by the average transshipment ratio of approximately 50% and an average unweighted idle ratio of port facilities designed for container traffic of over 60% in the eight main ports.     

Transshipment hub port selection for shipping carriers in a dual hub-port system

ABSTRACT

This paper investigates the factors affecting transshipment (T/S) hub port selection by a feeder port and helps shipping carriers make a decision about T/S hub port selection in a dual hub-port system. By employing established evaluation factors, a case study is conducted to weigh the priority of factors and to select an alternative T/S hub port, such as between the Shanghai and Ningbo ports from the Nanjing feeder port in the Yangtze River delta (YRD). A combined multi-criteria decision-making (MCDM) framework utilizing the analytic hierarchy process (AHP) and the consistent fuzzy preference relations (CFPR) method is employed to both reduce the number of pairwise comparisons by AHP and to obtain experts’ knowledge in the decision-making process. The result indicates that the cost, availability of hub port’s space allocation, and the connectivity between feeder port and hub port are crucial factors for T/S hub port selection by shipping carriers. In the case study, Shanghai is selected as the T/S hub port from the Nanjing feeder port. Nevertheless, Ningbo port has the advantage of cost, and if the relationship with feeder port can be improved, Ningbo port would be preferred over Shanghai as a T/S hub port for shipping carriers in a dual hub-port system.     

中国世界级"强港"建设分析与探讨

港口作为海陆运输的枢纽,客货运输的中转站,其地位与作用日益突出.分析了中国现代港口特征,探讨了中国建设世界级"强港"的发展方向.对中国建设世界级"强港"提出几点建议,希望对中国港口建设与发展有所帮助.     

天津临港工业港区吞吐量水平和船型预测

临港工业型港区与一般商港的不同之处在于港区的直接经济腹地是临港工业区,港区主要服务于临港工业区内部企业在建设和运营期间的原材料、产成品和其他货物的运输,其中部分码头泊位也提供对外商业中转运输服务.针对天津临港工业区内企业的发展需求,重点研究临港工业港区的货物种类、流量和流向的发展趋势,预测未来几年港区的到港船型和吞吐量...     

北部湾港口建设与整合的思考

交通运输部批准将防城港、钦州港、北海港三港统一归并为广西北部湾港。北部湾港口建设与整合,有利于建设西南出海大通道,加快中国经济融入东盟自由贸易区,开发利用北部湾丰富的资源,促进北部湾经济和城市建设的发展。今后要进一步健全北部湾港口管理体制,发展临港工业,拓展港口腹地,加速与东盟港口对接,加大财政投入,实现北部湾港口群的崛起。     

中国沿海深水港现状及发展趋势

通过对天津港、唐山港曹妃甸港区、连云港港等深水港现状的分析研究认为,潮流通道建港、挖入式港池、港口航道泊位深水化、港口管理的信息化与自动化已成为当前我国港口发展的主要趋势,随着港口功能的日益多元化,临港工业区不断发展,将促进港口与城市的日益融合。     

Spatial pattern of the global shipping network and its hub-and-spoke system

Port system is a research focus of transport geography, and most studies believe carriers are important factors in the development and concentration of the port system. Since the 1990s, carriers have played an important role in organizing the global shipping network and reorganizing the port system. But there isn’t a perfect method to evaluate carriers’ influence and the roles of each port in the maritime shipping networks. In this paper, we use the monthly schedule table of international carriers to describe and model the spatial pattern of the global shipping network and identify its hub-and-spoke system. The result shows that a hierarchical structure exists in the global shipping network. The North Hemisphere, especially the East Asia and the Southeast Asia, is a dominant region of the worldwide shipping network. East Asia, Southeast Asia, Northeast Europe, and East coast of the USA are the concentration regions of worldwide shipping lines. The ports of Hong Kong, Singapore, Shenzhen, Shanghai, and Kaohsiung etc have advanced capacity for maritime shipping and high potentials for being hub ports in the global shipping network. Today, the worldwide shipping network is transforming from the multi-port calling system to 44 regional hub-and-spoke systems. Meanwhile, the sub-networks with hub ports of Antwerp, Singapore, and Hong Kong have become the most important ones and dominate the whole global shipping network.     

散货港区的智慧港口规划

本文结合某港散货港区智慧港口规划项目,介绍了该港南作业区智能化项目的核心在于构建一套适应现代散杂货港口发展趋势、突破传统散货港口作业模式的全新港口智能化系统。本次规划将物联网、大数据技术、AI人工智能、5G等新型基础设施与生产业务融合,创新生产作业流程及资源配置,显著提高港口的作业运营能力、物流协同能力、口岸支持能力、客户服务能力,助力某港打造全国领先的基于5G+数字中台+AI的智慧散货港区。     

Norwegian port connectivity and its policy implications

The importance of a seaport depends on how well it is connected in a transportation network. A port’s connectivity is therefore one of the key issues in determining its competitiveness and developments in regions and countries. We construct a port connectivity index for major Norwegian ports based on a unique dataset derived from the automated identification system (AIS) for multiple vessel types over a 7-year period. Port connectivity is evaluated empirically by the number of unique vessel visits, vessel sizes, and cargo sizes. The research has implications for port authorities and policy makers in the areas of port planning, infrastructure investment, short sea shipping promotion, and environmental policies. The contributions of this research are twofold. First, the methodology linking the AIS vessel-tracking system with port connectivity is a pioneering empirical application of maritime big data. Second, the port connectivity index is constructed for multiple vessel types and regional port groups, which is an improvement from the current literature where conceptual measures are constructed based on hypothetical and usually too simple optimization rules. The methodology can be easily expanded to other regions in the world.     

Systematic training for maritime transport managers

Providing effective training for managers in the maritime and ports sector in developing countries has proven to be a daunting task. Initial attempts by the United Nations Conference on Trade and Development (UNCTAD) in the 1970s led to the development of senior port manager residence courses in Sweden. However, Given the vast numbers of managers needing training a more eficient method was required. Using the systematic training techniques pioneered by the International Telecommunications Union, UNCTAD, in the 1980s initiated two parallel programme: Trainmer (Training development in Maritime Transport); and IPP (Improving Port Performance). Both of these programmes demonstrated considerable success in terms of the numbers of maritime and port managers receiving training opportunities. Increased cooperation amoungst international agencies providing training programmes should result in improved transport management training in the 1990s, lrading to increased efficiences in port and related transport systems.